Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh

KALIKA MATA TEMPLE

Halol, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Goddess

Kalika Mata Temple is a Hindu goddess temple complex. The temple has three images of goddesses, the central image is of Kalika Mata, flanked by Kali on the right and Bahucharamata on the left. The statue of the goddess has four arms where every hand possesses diverse objects. For example, one hand possesses a sword, while the second hand possesses a Trishul. In the other two hands of goddess Mahakali, there are ahead of a demon and a bowl respectively to accumulate the blood from the head. The dark red coloured eye of goddess Mahakali demonstrate her fury and the messy hair provides a violent appearance. The statue of goddess Mahakali also wears a circlet which is created from the heads of 108 demons.

Interesting Facts

The Temple can be easily accessible by Ropeway. Ropeway facility is for all whether senior citizen or not. This facility helped many tourists as there are too many stairs leading to the temple.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (45°C during day and 35°C during night)Average - May (35°C during the day and 25°C during night)Lowest - December to February (26°C during day and 21°C during night)Monsoon season - August to October

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Champaner ST Depot	6.3 KM	1800-233666666
Vadodara Railway station	45 KM	139
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport	145 KM	+91-7922869211

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Vadodara Railway station	45 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport	145 KM	+91-7922869211

Architecture

Kalika Mata Temple was constructed in a very ritual and the traditional way by following Hindu architectural styles. It possesses firming ramparts and there is also a crossing in the front side of the temple. Kalika Mata Temple also has slabs which is designed for making sacrifices of animals during the great festival of lord Kali to satisfy her. The small and plain temple is set amidst fortifications with an open yard in the front and is open for long hours to cater to the rush of pilgrims. There are two altars in front of the temple for offering sacrifices to the Kalika Mata. The complex is divided into two parts, the ground floor containing Hindu shrines, while the temple spire is domed with a Muslim shrine. The restored marble floor dates to about 1859 and was presented by the minister of Limbdi in Kathiawar. The domed temple spire contains a Muslim shrine and mausoleum to Sadan Shah Pir, a Sufi saint. The ancient temple of Kalika Mata Temple is not only famous for Hindu people, but also for Muslim pilgrims.

Religious Significance

According to the legend, once during the festival of Navratri, a traditional dance called Garba was organized in the temple. Hundreds of devotees danced in this fair. In this way, seeing the devotees dancing, Goddess Mahakali herself started dancing as local women. Meanwhile, the king of the kingdom, Pat Jaisingh who was dancing with the devotees. Seeing the Goddess dancing, he was enchanted by her beauty. Due to his lust, the king held the goddess's hand and made an unfair offer. The goddess warned him three times to drop his hand and apologize, but the king was not ready to understand anything because of his lust. Thus the goddess cursed that her empire would fall. Soon a Muslim invader Mahmud Begada invaded the kingdom. King Jaisingh lost the battle and was killed by Mahmud Begada.

According another legend, a part of Lady Sati fell here after Lord Shiva’s cataclysmic dance and this black relic of the goddess self-appeared here.

History

This temple is located at this place from the 10th or 11th century.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	05:00 AM - 07:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757